Kaupea residents press DHHL on association governance and financial transparency

Several residents and association representatives from Kaupea/Kaupia testified that their homestead association has not followed its bylaws, that elections and minutes are missing, and that financial records requested by the community have not been produced.

Germaine Toguchi, representing more than half of Caupia lessees by her account, listed alleged violations including lack of annual meetings, expired board terms, appointment of non-lessees to leadership positions and failures to provide governing documents and financial statements dating to 2023. She told commissioners the association "does not endorse the EVA development at this time" because she said the board lacked lawful authority to speak for the community.

Association members who identified themselves as board members responded that the work is volunteer-run, often short-staffed, and that some allegations were new to them. They said records exist and invited community members to meet; some asked the public to engage directly with the board rather than circumvent it. "We are doing the best that we can," one board member said, urging dialogue and cooperation.

Commissioners acknowledged the disputes and encouraged local engagement, recording requests for follow-up and noting the commission's interest in ensuring beneficiary representation and lawful association processes. No formal enforcement action or vote was taken during the public session.